No Regional Differences of Stress Distribution in Distal Femur in Advanced Osteoarthritis

The following article is part of conference coverage from the 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada. Rheumatology Advisor’s staff will be reporting breaking news associated with research conducted by leading experts on bone health. Check back for the latest news from ASBMR 2018 .

Advanced osteoarthritis (OA) in the distal femur has shown no regional variations in stress distribution, which is affected by changes in loading patterns, chemical composition, and bone remodeling in the progression of OA. This research was presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2018 Annual Meeting, held September 28 through October 1, 2018, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

This study included distal femur specimens from 10 women cadavers with primary OA as well as 10 control cadavers matched for sex and age. Cadavers with advanced OA showed no significant variations in stress distribution over 6 regions of the distal femur (P =.179), while controls did show regional differences in stress distribution (P =.037). Significant differences were observed in trabecular spacing (P =.003), degree of anisotropy (P =.000), and trabecular number (P =.009) among the group with advanced OA, while no regional variations were observed in the structure model index (P =.136), bone surface density (P =.132), or trabecular thickness (P =.712). By contrast, the control group showed regional differences in structure model index, trabecular spacing, degree of anisotropy, bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number.

The group with advanced OA ranged from 53 to 79 years (mean age, 65 years), while controls ranged from 58 to 81 years (mean age, 67 years). Each condyle of the distal femur’s articular surface was classified into anterior, middle, and posterior regions. Finite element model analysis and micro-computed tomography were used to examine the microstructure and mechanical properties of designated regions of the distal femur.

The study researcher concludes that “microstructural and mechanical properties of the distal femur were changed according to the progression of [OA]. No regional differences in stress distribution were detected in advanced OA. Altered loading patterns, bone remodeling, and chemical composition affect changes in stress distribution.”

For more coverage of ASBMR 2018, click here.

Reference

Kim K. Distribution of stress on the distal femur in advanced osteoarthritis. Presented at: Annual ASBMR Meeting; September 28-October 1, 2018; Montreal, Canada. Abstract 1150.